Lifting mechanism for inboard-outboard boat drive

ABSTRACT

Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180* from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position, comprising a stationary main housing for mounting on the stern of the boat, a rotatable housing in the main housing, a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis in the rotatable housing, a worm loosely mounted on a power driven shaft in the main housing adjacent the rotatable housing, and a worm gear meshing with the worm splined into the rotatable housing. The loosely mounted worm is gripped by a dog on the power driven shaft for rotating with the shaft for the lifting operation and is released for free rotation on the shaft when the lower propulsion unit meets an obstruction. An indicator dial indicates the position of the lower propulsion unit relatively to the fixed housing.

United States Patent 1 Pinkerton Aug. 7, 1973 1 1 LlFTlNG MECHANlSM FOR INBOARD-OUTBOARD BOAT DRIVE Lyle C. Pinkerton, 9264 Brighton Rd., Henderson, Colo. 80640 22 Filed: Sept. 9, 1,71

21 Appl. No.: 179,004

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant ExaminerCarl A. Rutledge Attorney-Bertha L. MacGregor [57] ABSTRACT Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180 from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position, comprising a stationary main housing for mounting on the stern of the boat, a rotatable housing in the main housing, a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis in the rotatable housing, a worm loosely mounted on a power driven shaft in the main housing adjacent the rotatable housing, and a worm gear meshing with the worm splined into the rotatable housing. The loosely mounted worm is gripped by a dog on the power driven shaft for rotating with the shaft for the lifting operation and is released for free rotation on the shaft when the lower propulsion unit meets an obstruction. An indicator dial indicates the position of the lower propulsion unit relatively to the fixed housing.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED SHEEI 1 BF 5 mvsm-on. LYLE C. PINKERTON BY M Z ATTORNEYS PAIENIED AUG H973 :It :65 f

INVENTOR. LYLE C. PINKERTON BY mi ATTORNEYS PATENTED AU? 71975 SHEEI 3 0F 5 INVENTOR. LYLE C. PINKERTON ATTORNEYS AUI; (I915 PMENTED sum u 0F 5 $750517 INVENTOR. LYLE C. PINKERTON ATTORNEY PATENTEDAJE H915 3.750.617

SHEET 5 BF 5 INVENTOR. LYLE C. P/NKERTON miww' ATTORNEY LIFTING MECHANISM FOR INBOARD-OUTBOARD BOAT DRIVE This invention relates to lifting mechanism for inboardoutboard boat drives.

The mechanism claimed herein may be embodied in drive mechanism disclosed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 139,562 filed May 3, I971, Inboard- Outboard Drive Mechanism for Boats, but is not limited to installation in said mechanism. The main object of the invention disclosed in my aforementioned copending application is to provide an all gear drive mechanism to transmit power from one or more engines to a centrally located propulsion drive unit, with the capability of 360 degrees steering.

The main object of this invention is to provide motor driven mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit I80 degrees from its drive position and for lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal driveposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stationary housing including a rotatable housing which, preferably, is centrally located. The stationary housing is fastened to the boat transom for housing certain parts of the drive mechanism and the lifting mechanim.-The rotatable housing communicates at each end with said stationary housing and carries the lower propulsion unit which is operatively connected with the lifting mechanism.

Among the advantages of the invention is that of being able to raise the lower propulsion unit approximately 180 instead of the conventional 90, an advantage which facilitates trailering and freeing propellers from entanglements, for servicing the unit, etc.

Another advantage is that by raising the lower unit approximately 180 and allowing it to remain in raised position a suitable time, water may be drained off inside of the boat through appropriate drain plugs provided for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a worm loosely mounted on a power driven shaft in the main housing adjacent the rotatable housing, and a worm gear meshing with the worm, splined into the rotatable housing, the worm being gripped by dog on the power driven shaft for rotating with the shaft for lifting purposes, and being released for free rotation on the shaft when the lower propulsion unit meets an obstruction in its lowered position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple clutch to prevent damage to the mechanism in the event full power is applied to the propulsion unit when in partially raised position, and also to serve as a means for limiting the amount of force transmitted for raising the lower unit under certain conditions such as occur when the lower unit is stuck in mud, or when other unusual resistance is encountered. The operation of the multiple clutch is explained hereinafter.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that a mechanical position indicator may be made a part of the lifting mechanism to inform the operator, at all times, of the position of the lower unit.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of the stern portion of a boat on which is mounted the inboard-outboard propulsion mechanism and means for lifting the lower propulsion unit, embodying my invention, showing the lower propulsion unit in its forward drive position in full lines and in its raised position in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an elevational vertical rear view-ofthe drive and lifting mechanism, partly in section, with the outer housing partially omitted, showing the upper central section and portions of adjacent side sections, with the lower propulsion unit omitted.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, with the top of the outer housing omitted, showing the propulsion and lifting mechanisms, with the engine drive shafts broken away.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view in the plane of the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, on a smaller scale, showing in full lines the lower propulsion unit and the means for lifting said unit, and showing in broken lines part ofthe lower unit in raised position.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the motor and multiple clutch, and the means for operating the clutch, the section being in a plane transverse of the boat.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, of the worm shaft and worm which engages the worm gear, shown in lifting engagement in FIG. 5 and in released position in FIG. '7.

For the purpose of describing the mechanism for lifting the lower propulsion unit of my invention, by which said unit can be raised approximately from its lower drive position, I have chosen to show and describe the same as embodied in the drive mechanism of my co-pending application aforementioned, but it is to be understood that the same lifting mechanism can be built into other propulsion means without departing from the scope of this invention.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a boat 10 has a transom 11 on which the outboard upper part 12 of the propulsion unit is mounted, with the lower or propeller unit 13 depending therefrom. Inboard parts of the mechanism include two engines 14, 15, a motor 16, steering control wheel '17, flexible steering shaft 18, and timing mechanism 19 and 22. Other inboard parts are the reverse controllever 20 and lead 21.

The propulsion unit 12 comprises a stationary housing having a central section 25 and adjacent end sections 26, 27, partly integrally formed. The central section 25 consists of a transom-contacting wall, with the top, front and bottom cut away to permit rotation of the inner central housing 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the central section includes an inner housing 28 which is rotatable and concentric with the intumed flange members 29, 30, on the stationary housing sections 26, 27, respectively. Seals 31 and roller bearings 32 are located between the flange 29 and inner housing 28, and between the flange 30 and housing 28. This construction facilitates relative rotary movement between the inner housing 28 and the stationary housings 26, 27, for the purpose of lifting the propeller unit portion of the mechanism.

The engines 14 and 15 are operatively connected to the drive mechanism by horizontal rotatable drive shafts 35, 36, respectively. The shafts extend through the stationary housing sections 26, 27, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4. The electric motor 16 is operatively connected to the lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the lower propulsion unit by a horizontal inboard shaft 38 parallel to the transom of the boat, a worm 38 fixed on the shaft 38, meshing with a multiple clutch 39 fixed on the rotated shaft 37, in a housing 39'. The shaft 37 extends through the housing 26 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; in a location adjacent the central section housing 28 where it functions to rotate and operate means for pivotally lifting the housing 28 and contents as more fully explained hereinafter.

The propulsion unit drive mechanism (the subject of my aforementioned co-pending application) need be described only briefly. It comprises a hollow horizontal idler shaft 40, mounted at each end in a bearing support 41 and hanger 42 by retaining bolts 43. The idler shaft 40 is provided with an extrusion 44 in the form of a collar for reception of an upper reverse dog gear 45, upper bearing 46 and lower bearing 47 (FIG. 3), with retaining ring 48, located between extrusion 44 and a reverse dog gear 45.

The main propulsion drive shaft 50 extends through the reverse dog gear 45, which has splined on its upper end a power accumulating gear 51 retained by snap ring 52. Gear 51 has rotary motion transmitted to it through engine shaft 35, pinion 53, gear 55 loose on shaft 40, one-way rolling clutch assembly 57, transfer gear 59. Simultaneously, gear 51 is rotated through engine shaft 36, pinion 54, gear 56 loose on shaft 40, oneway rolling clutch assembly 58, transfer gear 60. Gears 59 and 60 mesh with and rotate the power accumulating gear 51 which rotates the dog gear 45 loosely mounted on drive shaft 50. Thrust bearings for gears 59 and 60 are designated 61.

A dog clutch 65 is splined onto the vertical drive shaft 50. When the clutch 65 is in driving engagement with the power accumulating gear 51, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical shaft 50 is rotated and transmits rotary motion through a gear train (not shown) to drive propellers 71, 72, respectively, in counter rotation.

The dog clutch 65 is moved into or out of driving engagement with the power accumulating gear 51 by a clutch control lever 75 which extends inwardly through the transom 11 and is operatively connected to a shifting fork 83. When the shifting fork 83 is raised, the clutch 65 is moved out of engagement with the gear 51 in non-transmitting position when disengagement is desired between the engine and the propulsion unit. Detailed description of the operative connection between the control lever 75 and the shifting fork 83 has been omitted because this part of the main drive means is not pertinent to the lifting mechanism which is the subject of this application. Likewise, details of the reversing mechanism for reversing the direction of thrust of the propeller unit and controlling the direction of travel of the boat, controlled by the lever and located between said lever and the lower unit housing 94, have been omitted because the reversing mechanism is the subject of my co-pending application Ser. No. 154,467, filed June 18, I971. Steering mechanism, controlled by the steering wheel 17 and located between said wheel and the steering shaft and gear 100, transfer gear 101 and steering gear 102 fastened to the lower unit housing 94 (FIG. 3) are described in detail in my aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 139,562, filed May 3, I971.

The lifting mechanism by which the lower propulsion unit is raised approximately 180 comprises the reversible electric motor 16, motor shaft 38, worm 38', clutch 39, shaft 37, worm 120, worm release spring 121, worm retaining collar 122, thrust bearing 123, and worrn ring gear 124. A dog 123 is cut away on its side adjacent the worm 120 for engagement with the shoulder 120 on the end of the worm. When the motor shaft 38 is rotated and power is transmitted to the shaft 37 through worm 38' and multiple clutch 39, the worm 120 under influence of spring 121, engages the dog 123', and rotates with the shaft 37 to transmit rotary motion to the gear 124 for lifting the lower propulsion unit. When the motor 16 is inoperative, in the event the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction the worm 120 is released from the dog 123' as shown in FIG. 7, leaving the worm free to rotate on shaft 37 and thus preventing injury to the mechanism.

As heretofore described, the lower propulsion unit can be raised 180 from its normal driving position, and function as a propulsion mechanism at any angle in which it is possible for the propellers to make contact with the water. This permits operation of the propulsion means in shallow water, beaching, and the like. If full power is transmitted when the said unit is in a partially raised position, damage to the unit might occur. The multiple clutch 39 obviates the possibility of such damage by providing for slippage, permitting the shaft 37 to rotate and the propulsion unit to move into its fully lowered and locked position. The multiple clutch 39 also serves as a means for limiting the amount of force which may be transmitted in raising the lower unit when hindered by cetain conditions, such, for example, as the propeller unit being stuck in mud, or under similar conditions.

The worm ring gear 124 is splined into the upper portion of the rotatable gear housing 28 and retained by a snap ring 125. As the gear 124 is rotated, the lower unit housing 94 is raised or lowered by rotating on roller bearings 32 depending on the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 37.

As the worm ring gear 124 rotates, negative power is fed to a dial indicator drive gear 126, (FIG. 4) which rotates a flexible shaft 127 which in turn is connected to a dial 128 installed in the control panel (not shown) of the boat. As the lower unit is raised or lowered by rotation of the worm ring gear 124, this movement is transmitted to the lower unit indicator dial and thus the operator can tell at all times the exact position of the lower unit.

Some details 130-134 of construction not heretofore numerically designated include the following: suitable bearings 130 for engine shafts 35, 36, in housings which are part of the housing sections 26, 27, bearings 131 for the motor shaft 37 in a housing which is part of the housing section 25, and drain plugs 132 in housing sections 26, 27, as shown in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown threaded plugs 133 in the central housing 28 which are removable to facilitate insertion, one by one, of the ball bearings 32 between the central housing 28 and flanges 29 and 30, respectively, of the stationary housing sections 26, 27. Guide arms [34 extend rearwardly from the stationary housings 26, 27, for housing latching and trim mechanism described in a separate application. Various bearings and springs are shown without numerical designations, their functions being obvious.

1 claim:

1. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing for mounting on the stern of a boat,

b. a housing rotatable about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted in said main housing,

c. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing,

d. a power driven shaft in the main housing adjacent said rotatable housing,

e. a worm loosely mounted on said shaft,

f. a dog fixed on the shaft for engagement by said worm when the power driven shaft is rotated, and

the worm being slidable on the shaft out of dog engaging position for free rotation on the shaft when the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction and rotatable with the shaft when engaged by the dog, and

. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing and meshing with said worm for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit when the worm is rotated by the power driven shaft.

2. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, which includes a compression spring on the power driven shaft and a fixed bearing on the shaft, said spring bearing at one end on the dog on the shaft and at the other end on said bearing for urging the worm into dog engaging position.

3. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, in which the worm has a cut-away end forming a shoulder for engaging the dog on the shaft.

4. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, which includes inturned arcuate flanges on the main housing adjacent the side surfaces of the rotatable housing, and bearings betwen said flanges and rotatable housing.

5. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, in which the main housing consists of a boat contacting stationary wall and two stationary end sections, and the rotatable housing is centrally located between said sections.

6. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, which comprises an indicator dial indicating the position of the lower propulsion unit, a dial indicator drive gear connected to the lifting mechanism and a flexible shaft operatively connected to the dial indicator drive gear.

7. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180 from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing having a vertical wall for mounting on the transom of a boat,

b. a housing rotatable approximately 180 about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted centrally in said main housing,

c. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing,

d. a motor having a shaft extending transversely of the boat,

e. a multiple clutch operatively connected to the motor shaft,

f. a worm shaft rotated by the clutch extending into the main housing,

g. a worm slidably mounted on the worm shaft,

h. means on the shaft for holding the worm in shaft engaging position to rotate with the shaft, and

i. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing meshing with the worm for rotating the rotatable housing relatively to the main housing for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit.

8. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 7, in which the rotatable housing is rotatable about a horizontal idler shaft in the rotatable housing having its ends mounted in the main housing.

9. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 7, which comprises an inboard indicator dial indicating the position of the lower propulsion unit, a dial indicator drive gear, and a flexible shaft operatively connected to the dial indicator drive gear.

10. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing having a vertical wall for mounting on the transom of a boat,

b. a housing rotatable approximately 180 about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted centrally in said main housing,

0. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing,

d. a motor having a shaft extending transversely of the boat,

e. a multiple clutch operatively connected to the motor shaft,

f. a worm shaft rotated by the clutch extending into the main housing,

g. a worm slidably mounted on the worm shaft,

h. a dog fixed on the worm shaft adjacent one end of the worm,

i. means on the shaft urging the worm into engagement with the dog for rotating with the worm shaft, and

j. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing meshing with the worm for rotating the rotatable housing relatively to the main housing for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit.

11. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 10 in which the worm is moved slidably on the worm shaft out of engagement with the dog by the worm gear when the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction which interferes with the lifting operation.

12. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 10, which includes a worm fixed on the motor shaft meshing with the multiple clutch, and in which the multiple clutch permits slippage in transmission of power to the worm shaft under certain conditions affecting the lower propulsion unit. 

1. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180* from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing for mounting on the stern of a boat, b. a housing rotatable about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted in said main housing, c. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing, d. a power driven shaft in the main housing adjacent said rotatable housing, e. a worm loosely mounted on said shaft, f. a dog fixed on the shaft for engagement by said worm when the power driven shaft is rotated, and the worm being slidable on the shaft out of dog engaging position for free rotation on the shaft when the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction and rotatable with the shaft when engaged by the dog, and g. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing and meshing with said worm for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit when the worm is rotated by the power driven shaft.
 2. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, Which includes a compression spring on the power driven shaft and a fixed bearing on the shaft, said spring bearing at one end on the dog on the shaft and at the other end on said bearing for urging the worm into dog engaging position.
 3. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, in which the worm has a cut-away end forming a shoulder for engaging the dog on the shaft.
 4. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, which includes inturned arcuate flanges on the main housing adjacent the side surfaces of the rotatable housing, and bearings between said flanges and rotatable housing.
 5. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, in which the main housing consists of a boat contacting stationary wall and two stationary end sections, and the rotatable housing is centrally located between said sections.
 6. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 1, which comprises an indicator dial indicating the position of the lower propulsion unit, a dial indicator drive gear connected to the lifting mechanism and a flexible shaft operatively connected to the dial indicator drive gear.
 7. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180* from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing having a vertical wall for mounting on the transom of a boat, b. a housing rotatable approximately 180* about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted centrally in said main housing, c. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing, d. a motor having a shaft extending transversely of the boat, e. a multiple clutch operatively connected to the motor shaft, f. a worm shaft rotated by the clutch extending into the main housing, g. a worm slidably mounted on the worm shaft, h. means on the shaft for holding the worm in shaft engaging position to rotate with the shaft, and i. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing meshing with the worm for rotating the rotatable housing relatively to the main housing for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit.
 8. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 7, in which the rotatable housing is rotatable about a horizontal idler shaft in the rotatable housing having its ends mounted in the main housing.
 9. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 7, which comprises an inboard indicator dial indicating the position of the lower propulsion unit, a dial indicator drive gear, and a flexible shaft operatively connected to the dial indicator drive gear.
 10. Lifting mechanism for raising the lower propulsion unit of the drive mechanism for a boat approximately 180* from its normal drive position and lowering said unit from its raised position to its normal drive position comprising a. a main housing having a vertical wall for mounting on the transom of a boat, b. a housing rotatable approximately 180* about a horizontal axis rotatably mounted centrally in said main housing, c. a lower propulsion unit rotatable about a vertical axis mounted in said rotatable housing, d. a motor having a shaft extending transversely of the boat, e. a multiple clutch operatively connected to the motor shaft, f. a worm shaft rotated by the clutch extending into the main housing, g. a worm slidably mounted on the worm shaft, h. a dog fixed on the worm shaft adjacent one end of the worm, i. means on the shaft urging the worm into engagement with the dog for rotating with the worm shaft, and j. a worm gear splined into the rotatable housing meshing with the worm for rotating the rotatable housing relatively to the main housing for raising and lowering said lower propulsion unit.
 11. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 10 in which the worm is moved slidably on the worm shaft out of engagement with the dog by the worm gear when the lower propulsion unit encounters an obstruction which interferes with the lifting operation.
 12. The lifting mechanism defined by claim 10, which includes a worm fixed on the motor shaft meshing with the multiple clutch, and in which the multiple clutch permits slippage in transmission of power to the worm shaft under certain conditions affecting the lower propulsion unit. 